Jacy Terrell

Last night I drove

Went for something to eat

Sped up as the light turned red just to slam on the brakes

Stared out at the rows of cars

I knew how easy it would be

To press the gas

And that car would slam into my side

I would finally be able to close my eyes

Instead I just stared

I thought about the person in the other car who could be injured

About how expensive it would be to make my mom get a new car

Maybe people would be sad

I don’t know

The only thing that’s ever had the power to keep my foot on the brake

Is the thought of other people

And that thought will always loom over me

Keeping me from claiming freedom

So the light turned green and I drove away